Month: November 2010

Top 10 Dance Games for Wii

/ Kara Kelso / Leave a comment

There’s no shortage of Wii dance games. With good reason, though – they’re fun and you get a good workout.

You should keep in mine when buying dance games for Wii that they are meant for entertainment first and foremost. Should you get a workout or pick up a new dance move, that’s just a bonus.

We’ve put together a list of 10 dance games for Wii here at Idea Queen to give you an easy reference when looking for some fun new games. The first 2 are games we own and love, while the rest are rated top games on Amazon based on their reviews.

1. We Cheer 2
By far our favorite Wii game, even more so than the original We Cheer. While there really aren’t more songs (both We Cheer games have about the same number of songs, no repeats), we appreciated the different levels of difficulty. Instead of just 2 levels for each song, there’s now 3 and they’re a little more evened out (easy really is easy, normal is a bit of a challenge, and hard really is hard!). Since it’s focused on arm movement, you don’t have to learn complicated steps, but still get a nice workout.

2.We Cheer
The original We Cheer game was one of our all time favorite Wii games. The selection of songs were a nice mix of classic, new, and current Disney favorites. We especially liked the 2 player option to it, and the fact we only needed 2 regular Wii remotes. No extra equipment. It was a great “starter”, and we still play it once in awhile, even though the 2nd has proved to be more fun.

3. Just Dance
Features over 30 different songs, also with a nice range of classics from 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. What we like the most about this game is it doesn’t require a dance mat – just the Wii remotes, like our previous 2.

4. Just Dance 2
Better than the original? Possibly! If you liked the original Just Dance, there’s a good chance you’ll completely fall in love with the second. Includes over 40 different songs for more dancing similar to the first.

5. Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party Bundle
Great selection of songs, however, you do need a dance mat for this game. The plus side is, Amazon has an excellent selection of both new and used bundles for the game and mat both.

6. Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2
Already have Dance Dane Revolution and the mat? Try the next one out! More songs from the last 4 decades to get you up and moving.

7. Gold’s Gym Dance Workout
If your looking for something that puts a bit more focus on workout, this is the game for you. It doesn’t use a dance mat, and has the option for using only one or two Wii remote (as does Wii Cheer). Has some of the similar songs as the other dance games, but still enough variety to keep you interested.

8. Dance Dance Revolution Disney Grooves
If some of the other Wii Dance Games have “suggestive” moves you don’t care for, this one might be a better option. Do note it does require a dance mat, and some kids may have some problems keeping up with the moves. However, if it’s a challenge they’re looking for, you might love this game.

9. Dancing with the Stars: We Dance!
If you’re looking for more games that does NOT use a dance mat, this one might be best. Uses remote and nunckuk only. If your a big fan of the Dancing with the Stars, this Wii dance game might be perfect for you.

10. Dance on Broadway
Are you a big fan of musicals? Give this Wii dance game a go! Features 20 different Broadway musical songs, complete with Broadway-style choreography. Uses just Wii remotes…no need to have a dance mat!

Have fun!

Spaghetti Tacos and Meatballs

/ Kara Kelso / 1 Comment

Since tonight was the “iCarly Spaghetti Tacos” night, we decided to give it a shot. We cheated, using sauce in a jar and store bought taco shells. They were interesting, to say the least!

This might not be the “official” recipe, but it’s how we did it.😉

What you’ll need:

– Spaghetti Sauce (we used Ragu, hurray for cheating!)
– Thin Spaghetti pasta
– Hard Taco Shells

For Meatballs:

– 1lb Hamburger
– 6-7 Saltine Crackers
– 1 Egg
– Onion Powder
– Minced Garlic
– Salt & Pepper

To make the meatballs, mix ingredients together (about a tablespoon of each of your spices, we never measure these things, it makes it more fun!). Roll into walnut-sized balls, and drop into a pan of grease at medium high heat. Stay close! The outside will cook very fast, and you’ll want to move the meatballs around to cook them all over. Literally a few seconds for each meatball. Then pop them in the oven for 15minutes at 350*.

After you cook your pasta and add sauce, you can pile the spaghetti directly into the taco shells, and add the meatballs on top or on the side. Yummy? Eh…the kids liked it at least!

Awesome Dinner Rolls

/ Kara Kelso / 1 Comment

Here’s an excellent example of the type of recipes we’re wanting for the recipe contest – homemade dinner rolls.

This recipe was passed to me by my best friend of twenty years. There was a time period where we were on a hunt for bread machine recipes, since both of us had one and love to cook. We swapped tons of them back and forth, but this one was one of the absolute best.

At Christmas and Thanksgiving, my family always does a small pot luck dinner. While someone always picks up a package of store bought rolls, everyone looks forward to me bringing these rolls since they can be used as regular rolls or buns for sandwiches.

The dough of these homemade dinner rolls is made in the bread machine, and then they’re baked in the oven. If you don’t have a bread machine, you can still make them with a little extra work. Personally, I couldn’t live without our bread machine!


Tabi’s Awesome Rolls
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup butter – softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp yeast

Add all ingredients in order to the bread machine, and set on dough. Shape into rolls and set on pan. Allow to rise an additional 30-45 mins. Bake at 350* until golden brown.

Without a bread machine, mix together the ingredients and kneed for 10 minutes, then let set for an hour or until dough has doubled.